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Jul 31, 2014

MORE Top 10 Reasons to be an Episcopalian

Robin Williams in License to Wed (2007)

If you're an Episcopalian, you've likely encountered comedian Robin Williams' "Top Ten Reasons to be an Episcopalian." Evidently the former Mork & Mindy star is an Episcopalian and his list is absolutely brilliant.

Who cares if no one I know has actually ever seen him worshipping at an Episcopal Church? His father was an Episcopalian and the actor/comedian was raised as one so that's good enough for me.

First uttered as part of an HBO special, it has gone as viral as anything in the Episcopal Church. In fact, I'm wearing a bright red t-shirt with the Episcopal shield on the front and Williams' list on the back -- it's been a great conversation starter over the years.

Just to refresh your memory here it is:

Top 10 Reasons to be an Episcopalian(according to Robin Williams, that is)

10. No snake handling.

9. You can believe in dinosaurs.

8. Male and female God created them; male and female we ordain them.

7. You don't have to check your brains at the door.

6. Pew aerobics.

5. Church year is color-coded.

4. Free wine on Sunday.

3. All of the pageantry -- none of the guilt.

2. You don't have to know how to swim to get baptized.

And the Number One reason to be an Episcopalian:

1. No matter what you believe, there's bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.

It would be the ultimate act of hubris to update this iconic list but I'm on vacation right now and…what the heck? Humility is in the eye of the beholder -- I think that's in the Bible somewhere.

*sigh* Dear Anonymous, Christians who can laugh at themselves are being humourous, not literal. At least, not completely literal. All right - literal but with a hefty pinch of salt, a lime wedge and some tequila.

And of course the one thing that we can all absolutely agree on, in any Christian denomination, is that the minute anyone says anything about anything related to belief or practice it will start an argument.

As a UMC pastor, I spent the better part of my life having never really spent a lot of time around Episcopalians. Until I went to seminary. Now, whenever I preside over communion, ask that God would bless the bread and wine, look down and see little cups of grape juice looking up at me, I always laugh inside, and feel like a dirty liar haha!

Anonymous, I am sorry you have missed the ability to laugh at one's self. Humor is God's way of allowing us to maintain sanity. Please feel free to believe whatever you wish but keep your judgements of others to yourself. This is only meant as a joke between people who understand the humor.